MLB Playoff Schedule 2013: Ultimate Viewing Guide For Entire Postseason

The wild-card games have been played in the major leagues. The National League and American League Division Series are upon us. The action will be hot and heavy over the next few weeks until a new World Series champion is crowned.

After watching the Tampa Bay Rays rise to the occasion and win two straight single-elimination games on the road, one has to wonder if they can keep the magic alive.

The Rays battle AL East rival the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS. That series begins Friday, but before those two teams tangle, both NL Division Series will get under way Thursday.

Here's a look at the complete ALDS schedule, per MLB.com, followed by the announced pitching matchups and analysis.

*Watch postseason baseball live on TBS.com or your mobile device. 

 

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals: A.J. Burnett vs. Adam Wainwright

The Pittsburgh Pirates will send 36-year-old veteran A.J. Burnett to the mound to face Adam Wainwright at Busch Stadium. Both men have been strong of late. Burnett is 2-0 in his last two starts with three earned runs and 18 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. Both of those starts came against the Cincinnati Reds.

The last time Burnett faced the Cardinals he was roughed up. He managed to last only three innings, surrendering five earned runs on six hits in that outing.

Wainwright has been sharp lately as well. He's allowed just three earned runs in his last two starts. The 6'7" right hander has struck out 10 in 12.1 innings pitched over that span. He beat the Pirates on Sept. 7 when he went seven innings allowing only two hits and no earned runs in one of his best performances of the year.

Who has the edge in this matchup?

You'd have to give Wainwright the advantage considering the two pitchers' postseason history. Burnett has struggled to a 2-2 record in the second season with an ERA of 5.08 in seven starts. Wainwright is 2-0 in 13 games—four of them were starts—and his ERA is a sparkling 2.48.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves: Clayton Kershaw vs. Kris Medlen

Clayton Kershaw has been close to unhittable the last two weeks of the season. He's 2-0 with no earned runs allowed over his last two starts. He's pitched 13 innings in that time span and struck out 18. Kerhsaw hasn't faced the Braves this season, but he's almost sure to be on his game in the series opener.

Kris Medlen has the daunting task of matching up with Kershaw. Medlen has had a solid year, going 15-12. He's 1-0 in his last two starts, and he's allowed just one earned run while striking out 13 in 15.1 innings. Medlen has been very good against the Dodgers this season. In 13.2 innings pitched, he's yet to surrender an earned run against them.

Who blinks in this potential pitcher's duel? I say Medlen.

I know he's been dominant against the Dodgers this season, but it’s the playoffs, and big-time pitchers like Kershaw shine in these moments. He'll guide his team to a close win in a low-scoring game. 

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Jon Lester vs. Matt Moore

Jon Lester was hit pretty well by the Baltimore Orioles in his last start, but prior to that he had been sharp. Lester won two starts in a row against the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

In this matchup, experience and a ton of run support gives Lester the edge. Boston led the majors with 853 runs scored. Matt Moore may not be at full strength, and the Red Sox lineup is just too deep.

Two of the best lefties in the majors will battle in this one. The 24-year-old Moore has been up and down since missing all of August. He pitched six or more innings just once since he returned. Against a potent and powerful lineup like the Red Sox, Moore could be headed for disaster.

Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics: Max Scherzer vs. Bartolo Colon

Max Scherzer and Bartolo Colon met on Aug. 29. Colon was able to scatter seven hits over five innings and only allowed one earned run. He left the game with a 6-1 lead after the Athletics tagged Scherzer for all six runs (five earned). However, the Tigers’ bullpen and bats came alive to not only take Scherzer off the hook for the loss—they rallied to win, 7-6.

In the series opener, Scherzer will be better than Colon this time.

The former has been a little inconsistent, but he's coming off a solid outing against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 25. Scherzer allowed no earned runs and struck out 10 in seven innings.

Colon is a five- or six-inning pitcher at this point in his career.

Both pitchers will keep it close, but Scherzer's ability to go deeper into the game will serve him well, and he'll build off of his recent momentum.